HERNIA QUESTION!!!!!

If anyone is familiar with how things with insurance and dr offices work Id love ur expertise...My pcp had made mention that she thought I mite have the start of incisional hernia even though I am 18 months out. I have pain and discomfort over the scar and when I exercise or do any lifting at work it really flares up. I kept putting it off b/c there is no bulge there so I didnt think it could be a hernia. She is stumped as well so Im going in to see my surgion. The nurse had said on the phone when I called that since it is the side incision dr might want to do panniculectomy to remove the stress on incision. Now before he had said he could do that but it would cost me out of pocket. Im just wondering if It will still come out of pocket or if something else is better the hernia. Any ideas on this subject would be greatly apreciated!! Thanks Measha

A person can develop a hernia at anytime PO with any surgery that opens the abdomen. Being 18 months out really is irrelevant. I would not put it off because at anytime the herniated area can open up and a small part of your bowel can slip in and become trapped and cause a blocked bowel or worse. The best way to find out if the person has a hernia is via a CAT scan.

The doctor's office might be able to get the panni covered by insurance due to it being medically necessary due to the hernia.